Friday, May 18, 2012

Old North End on Digital Display at Portsmouth Public Library

By Timothy Gillis
PORTSMOUTH –

May is Preservation Month, and central to the celebration is the North End project, a combined effort of the Portsmouth Public Library, the Portsmouth Athenaeum, and the Seacoast Lodge #2303 of the Sons of Italy. The partners will present their efforts to the public on May 21, at 7 p.m. in the Levenson Room of the library. They hope to show the public how to make their way around the project's website, www.portsmouthexhibits.org.
Representatives from the project will give a talk about their collection of images and personal stories from the section of town known as the North End, and the Hill.
The speakers will include Tom Hardiman, director of Portsmouth Athenaeum, Valerie Capodelupo Koloshey, and Judy Capobianco from the Lodge, and Sherm Pridham, retired city librarian who is leading their digital efforts as a volunteer. The group will speak about the project and demonstrate how to use the Athenaeum's website to explore the digital exhibit.
Last October, for Italian National Heritage month, Koloshey said she wanted to do displays of photographs at local libraries. She went to Portsmouth Library, the Portsmouth Athenaeum, and the Portsmouth Historical Society. They had next-to nothing, she said. “I decided to gather photos and stories. It's not just the homes that were lost, but a way of life too.”
The homes she refers to were those that were condemned in 1966, as part of the city’s Urban Renewal Plan. The homes were bought by imminent domain, in 1969, and then demolished in 1969 and 1970.
Phase 1 of the project is the call for photos and keepsakes of the North End. That part has been largely successful, with many images pouring in. They have not collected keepsakes or artifacts yet, Koloshey said, and the collection of images goes on, with at least 200 more expected.
Phase 2 is the videotaping of the personal stories of folks who lived in North End. “We will interview them, and hope to do so in their homes, as many of them are elderly,” Koloshey said.
The interview process starts with the same basic questions - family name, where they are from in Italy, what they did to earn their living in the North End. “We start with similar questions, but then give them leeway to tell their own stories,” Koloshey said. “We have hundreds of photos coming in.”
Phase 3 is the website. “We try to combine with Portsmouth Public Library so we don't duplicate efforts,” said Tom Hardiman,
“Because urban renewal in the 1960’s was done with federal money, new developments have to go through a 106 Review, which requires archaeological testing,” Hardiman said. “There are extra costs associated with that. If they find anything, it could slow down or derail the project.”
The old North End neighborhood had Italian markets, bakeries, cobbler shops, and restaurants, he said. Then an A & P came in, then the Portwalk Hotel and Condo. “When a Sheraton hotel was built in the 1980's, there was an extensive archaeological dig. The hotel incorporates little exhibits in the hotel from the 18th century,” he said.
“First large-scale project for the Athenaeum that is all digital," Hardiman said. “So we're able to scan the photos and give the originals back to the families.” (photo by Tim Gillis)

Spanish Students Earn Medals in National Exams

HAMPTON FALLS -
Congratulations to all the students from Heronfield Academy who attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2012 National Spanish Examinations.
Students from Heronfield Academy earned a total of 6 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals along with 13 honorable mentions.  “Attaining a medal or honorable mention for any student on the National Spanish Examinations is very prestigious,” said Kevin Cessna-Buscemi, National Director of the Exams, “because the exams are the largest of their kind in the United States with 143,641 students participating in 2012.” At Heronfield Academy this year, a total of 45 students took the test and 26 scored above the fifty percentile in the country.
Students from Heronfield Academy have a history of high achievement on these exams since opening in 2007. Spanish is taught daily at Heronfield Academy to grades 6, 7 and 8. Grammar and vocabulary are acquired through reading, writing, speaking and listening using cultural themes from Latin America and Spain. A high school student text, Asi Sedice, and short novels are used in the program. Upon leaving Heronfield Academy, most students place into 3rd year Honors Spanish classes in high school.
The National Spanish Examinations are administered each year in grades 6 through 12, and are sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. (courtesy photo)

Renaissance Faire Celebrates Historic Ages

KINGSTON –
For two weekends in the middle of May, the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire  transports the beautiful Three Maples Farm in Kingston back to a magical time. The faire kicked off last weekend, and will be held again this weekend, May 19-20, from 10 to 5 p.m. each day at 9 Thorne Road, in Kingston.  Your family can come and enjoy the sights and sounds of medieval and renaissance times, including such activities as knight fights, known as live steel fighting, wandering minstrels, court jesters, jugglers, and even belly-dancers. Or just relax and have tea with the Queen. There are lots of food and drink items  to enjoy, or shop for period costumes and garb.
After this two weekend event, a portion of the proceeds will go to some great charities. This year the main charity is the New Hampshire Food Bank. NHRF is also raising money for First Star Tonight through their popular Wench & Lad Auction. First Start Tonight provides support for terminally-ill children, young adults and their families in the New Hampshire area. So, not only will you have a great time, you are also helping to contribute to fantastic charities. Tickets for this event are: $12.50 for adults, $8 for kids from ages 5 -12.  Kids age 4 and under will be free. For more information, please see the website at www.nhrenfaire.com. (courtesy photo)